Box Clever is a practical resource that will help you work out where you are now, where you want to be and crucially, how to get there. Rachel Johnson uses thought-provoking quadrants to bring clarity to some of the things that can hold you back, whatever your role or experience level. Whether it's communication, your sense of urgency, your self-image or the way you prioritise, there is a quadrant that can help you see the issue and, crucially, do something about it.
This powerful book is for anyone who wants change in their life and leadership and is willing to do the important work to get there.
Box Clever proves that a few simple lines on a page can shift how you think-and help you sort your life out. Rachel's no-nonsense wisdom, combined with her genius pledge cards, makes this the kind of book you'll read, use, and then force on everyone you know. -- Laura McInerney, Co-Founder of Teacher Tapp & Education Intelligence
This book has allowed me to have a look at myself from the inside - how I live my life, the people I surround myself with as well as a fresh perspective on my leadership. I have critiqued myself, patted myself on the back, challenged myself but above all been gripped. Each quadrant has a purpose and turns what we do every day upside down! This book will become a source of easy reference for future. -- Carol Blackford-Mills, MD – MRS Digital
If you're looking to enhance your leadership skills and take your decision-making to the next level, Rachel's new book is a must-read. Each of the 11 quadrants help simplify complex challenges into actionable strategies, making it easier to manage conflict, prioritise tasks, and focus on what really matters. Like eating a boiled sweet I would recommend taking your time and working through the suggested exercises to make sure you turn each key insight into leadership tools to help not only you and those you work with to achieve measurable success. Quite simply this is a fantastic resource for any leader eager to grow and navigate their responsibilities with confidence! -- Ken Matthews, Senior Minister, St Joseph’s Church, Benwell
Box Clever is a trusted guide that systematically explains complex topics in an incredibly simple way which is what we all need right now. It feels as though you are personally being walked through each step holding up a mirror to your own leadership whilst cleverly meeting you where you are at.
It is challenging and at times uncomfortable but then gives practical examples and prompt questions to help you move forward. It is a clear call to action to be brave in your leadership and your reflection, for yourself and those in your team.
It is a quick read that I will keep in my work bag to give me options in team meetings, when self reflecting, when feeling stuck or ready to try something new.
I can see so many of my own experiences play out in the examples Rachel gives which is both reassuring and energising.
In leadership, we've all come across quadrants - Rachel Johnson is obsessed with them. And, as it turns out, that's a good thing. She makes quadrants feel like the Swiss Army knife of leadership tools. Box Clever is a smart, practical guide that doesn't waffle on about leadership theory but gives you tools you'll want to use.
Box Clever is unwaveringly practical. There's no grandstanding or jargon here, only straightforward, actionable advice. Rachel doesn't just tell you that self-reflection is important; she hands you a quadrant to map it out and figure out exactly where you stand. It's like having a switched-on mentor in book form.
What sets this book apart is Rachel's ability to weave her own experiences with insights from thought-leaders like Gordon MacDonald and Adam Grant. It's like she's done all the hard work of reading every leadership book under the sun and then distilled the best bits into something actionable. Plus, she's honest about the messy parts of leadership, which makes you feel like you're not the only one winging it half the time.
If you want a leadership book that gives you practical tools to structure your thinking and make decisions with confidence, Box Clever could be just what you've been looking for.
Box Clever is a thought-provoking guide that distils complex leadership and personal development challenges into clear, actionable frameworks. As someone who has navigated the complexities of global business, technology leadership and change management, I recognise the immense value in the quadrant-based approach Rachel Johnson presents.
Reading this book prompted some pretty deep reflection on my own life journey - the bold moves to chart my own course, spending most of my adult life living and working overseas, the challenges I've faced, the lessons I've learned and the ways in which I've grown and flourished. Many of the book's insights resonate with my own experiences, reinforcing lessons that continue to shape my daily life and approach to technology leadership. It also reaffirms my belief in passing those lessons on to others - I'm an unapologetic storyteller - helping them overcome their own challenges and navigate their own paths with greater clarity and confidence.
I see leadership as a continuous learning journey from both successes and setbacks. Box Clever provides a structured yet flexible way to engage in that growth. It should offer clarity in moments of uncertainty and serve as a practical tool to refine decision-making and help form a leadership style. For anyone seeking to elevate their thinking and leadership, this book would be an excellent companion.
Rachel Johnson is the CEO of PiXL, a school leadership network that supports and equips school leaders to improve life chances and outcomes for young people. She is the host of two popular podcasts: the bite sized reflections of PiXL Pearls; and The PiXL Leadership Bookclub, where two school leaders discuss a non-educational leadership book and the lessons they've implemented as a result. She also leads the School of PiXL Leadership, a series of courses designed to equip school leaders at all levels of leadership.
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